Efficacy of neem compost on root knot nematode pest of Lagos spinach, Celosia argentea

Abstract

The effects of neem compost on root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, pest of Lagos spinach, Celosia argentea, cv. TLV 8, was studied during 2010 and 2011 planting seasons on the field. The trial was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria. There were four treatments, replicated five times fitted into randomised complete block design. Neem compost was applied at 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 tonnes/ha. Experimental plots, where no compost was applied served as the control. The result obtained shows that Lagos spinach treated with neem compost significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the final soil nematode population and root infections (damage), with resultant improvement on crop growth and yield. The result of the chemical analysis of the neem compost revealed the presence of flavonoids, sterols, glycosides, alkaloids and saponins.

Keywords:

• Celosia argentea
• nematode
• control
• neem compost
• Lagos spinach

View correction statement:

Corrigendum

Notes

This article was originally published with an error. This version has been corrected. Please see Corrigendum (http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03235408.2013.812706).